Sunshine served up at tennis ‘have a go day’

Hundreds of local children took their tennis lessons a step further over the weekend by having a crack at their local tennis club.

The annual ‘Have a Go Tennis Day’ encourages children from primary and intermediate schools in the region to pop down to their local club for some coaching and to give the sport a go.

Nelson Bays Tennis regional coordinator Ali McQuillan says tennis is “embraced” in 90 per cent of the region’s schools in the form on the Tennis Hot Shot programme, which is supported by NBS and Sport Tasman.

She says the have a go day is a continuation of that programme.

“The day marks the conclusion of the schools programme allowing pupils to get down to their local courts to put their skills into practice at their closest club with their school mates. ”

“The recipe certainly worked this year, we are thrilled with the turnout and the positive active environment at each of the clubs.”

Eleven clubs across the region took part in the day on Saturday, with 44 schools from Nelson to Golden Bay invited to take part in a free tennis session to launch the summer tennis season.

The atmosphere of fun and games on court was boosted this year with a beautiful and sunny spring day.

“Each club radiated a warm family atmosphere, parents relaxing on the side lines and courts overflowing with aspiring tennis stars. This year’s event bodes well for the coming summer season, it was a huge success,” says Ali.